Which Indian state sees the highest number of student suicides? Find out here.
Do you know which state in the country is witnessing the highest number of students taking their own lives? Shocking data from the NCRB and the grim reality behind this widespread depression will leave you shaken.
Concerns regarding the mental health of students in the country are steadily rising. According to a recently released report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), there has been a significant surge in student suicide cases over the past decade. In 2024, a total of 14,488 students across the country died by suicide—an increase of nearly 80 percent compared to 2014. This figure is the highest recorded in the last 10 years and has reignited a serious debate about the pressures students face regarding academics, competitive exams, and family expectations.
Highest number of cases in Maharashtra
According to NCRB data, a total of 123,918 students died by suicide nationwide between 2014 and 2024; Maharashtra alone accounted for the highest number of cases, with approximately 17,000 incidents. Uttar Pradesh follows, recording around 10,000 cases. For several years now, Maharashtra has consistently topped the list in this regard.
Which states have the highest number of cases?
The report indicates that four states—Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu—collectively account for nearly half of all student suicide cases in the country. Notably, the majority of these cases originated from regions known as major coaching hubs—such as Kota (Rajasthan), Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune—where lakhs of students from across the nation flock to prepare for competitive examinations.
What are the primary reasons for suicide?
According to the NCRB report, family issues are the leading cause of suicide among students, followed by exam failure as the second most significant factor. In 2024, a total of 2,032 suicides occurred solely due to exam failure, accounting for approximately 14 percent of all student suicide cases recorded that year.
Why are the figures steadily rising?
A look at the data from the past decade reveals that the sharpest increase occurred between 2019 and 2020, when cases surged by 21.2 percent. Within this ten-year period, 2022 was the only year to record a slight decline in suicide cases. Furthermore, in 2024, over 10,295 children under the age of 18 died by suicide, indicating that the problem is not limited to college or older students but is deeply prevalent among school-going children as well.
What efforts is the government making?
In response to this growing issue, the central government launched the National Suicide Prevention Strategy in 2022, aiming to reduce the country’s suicide rate by 10 percent by 2030. Additionally, in coaching hubs like Kota, the administration has introduced measures such as counseling centers, helpline numbers, and regular mental health check-ups to ensure that students living under pressure receive timely and appropriate support.
